The NIH Molecular Libraries and Imaging Roadmap Initiative (http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/molecularlibraries/index.asp) is a major NIH effort to broaden access to rapid assay technologies. The overall goal of the Initiative is to facilitate the creation of a public database of biological information about small molecule chemical structures, which then seeds the further development of small molecule pharmacological tools for biological research. The Assay Development for HTS Program is one component of this Initiative, and funds the development and adaptation of biological assays for use in automated high throughput molecular screening (HTS). It is intended that this Program promote the development of automated screening projects that can be submitted to the Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network (MLSCN), which employs a library of chemical compounds that are part of the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository.

For 2008, the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research (http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/) is providing administrative supplements to Neuroscience-directed Assay Development for HTS projects. Investigators successfully submitting completed HTS projects from this Program to the MLSCN, via the “direct entry” process described in the RM-07-001 announcement (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-001.html), can request a $25,000 (direct cost) supplement. The Investigator is required to clarify in a letter how the funds will be used to support collaboration with the assigned MLSCN Center. It is expected that the funds will enable the Investigator to participate in probe development activities that are related to their project. These activities by the PI may include, but are not limited to, assay adaptation required for HTS implementation in a Center, the performance of secondary and/or counter-screening assays in support of hit follow-up, and the provision of HTS reagents requiring special expertise of the PI in production. Qualifying Investigators must have an active grant award, and are encouraged to file a second year no-cost extension of this award to permit administrative supplementation during the HTS collaboration.